Lantern Floating: An Act Of True Interfaith Belief

In my never-ending journey to learn about different cultures, traditions and beliefs I have come across one of the most amazing and possibly the largest interfaith event in the world. However, this event contains no liturgy, no formal doctrines and no religious associations per say. Rather, it is a celebration of the oneness of humanity, and a remembrance of loved ones lost and those who came before us.

Known as Lantern Floating, the event was created by the Shinnyo-en Foundation and takes place on American Memorial day on the beaches of Waikiki, Hawaii. Having never yet had the privilege of visiting Hawaii, this event was brought to my attention through a blog post by Mark Farr on Handsonblog.org. Farr oversees faith-based initiatives for Points of Light Institute and recently attended the Lantern Floating event this year on May 31, 2010 in Hawaii.

Initiated twelve years ago, the Lantern Floating event has developed into a massive celebration of the human spirit. This year, the event drew some 60,000 people from all walks of life, people of faith and no faith alike.

Lantern Floating is pretty much exactly how it sounds. Thousands of people line up along the beach, write prayers for humanity, peace, and remembrance on little boats and at dusk the boats are released into the ocean.

Farr writes, “Between the dark sea and the overwhelming sky, a flotilla of memories heads out.

It is an extended moment that is unmistakably a message, – a metaphor – about sending souls forth, about fond farewells.

Lantern Floating uses the human condition to bring us nearer to our own spirituality, whatever that might be.”

He continues, “A hush falls on the crowd.

On each boat, the candlelight drifts silently away from us, like a prayer. Or a person: in my case, my own father, who died between the last Floating, and this one.

Across the beach, people, standing knee-deep at the water’s edge, openly weep.”

Although Lantern Floating does have its roots in Buddhism, it is a unique event that touches the soul of all who participate, regardless of religious affiliation or lack thereof. Furthermore, Hawaii being half way between the continental U.S. and Japan, the event signifies a fusion of eastern and western cultures.

Prior to releasing the boats in the ocean, the event begins with an evening of music, readings and reflection.

In lieu of concluding this article with my own thoughts, I wish to leave you with Farr’s closing remarks:

“Isn’t faith supposed to lift us out of the prosaic, to speak to us through the sheer wonder of the world? To give us more, and make us better, to help us understand the faith of others?

If that is so, I nominate this event as an act of true interfaith belief. And I will see you there, with your own boat, your tiny candle and your own prayer, next year, at Hawaii’s Lantern Floating.”

Website: www.handsonblog.org